Do local pols support their parties’ presidential candidates?

“I believe the Republican Party’s platform is the best path for our country, and the members of the party made their choice clear through a primary process, which – unlike the other party – was free of tampering allegations.”

Clayton County Commissioner Sonna Singleton Gregory, Democrat

“We have never had a presidential candidate with such a perfect match of skill and experience as we with Hillary Clinton. She is coming in to the seat fully prepared. I have no reservations about her candidacy or her being president of the United States. She is the candidate of inclusion for such a time as this. The country needs her.”

Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash, Republican

“This election season my primary concern is hoping Gwinnett voters understand that the presidential election has little to do with ensuring Gwinnett County has low taxes, good services and an efficient, transparent government that works for the entire community.

“Regarding the presidential race, I’m a Republican who preferred other candidates, but I also have to respect our nominating process and the will of primary voters.”

DeKalb County Commissioner Jeff Rader, Democrat

“I’m a Democrat, and I support our nominee Hillary Clinton for President of the United States. She is extremely well qualified for the position, and she shares my personal and policy goals of efficient and effective governmental action to improve the lives of the American citizens.”

Local politicians across metro Atlanta say they’re backing their national parties’ presidential candidates, flaws and all.

This year’s presidential election has defied conventional politics, with prominent politicians – especially Republicans – questioning the qualifications of their own party’s nominees.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution asked 39 county commissioners and sheriffs – 21 Republicans and 18 Democrats – whether they support their party’s nominee. Unlike the rest of America, which can’t stop talking about this election, only a dozen – six from each party – offered feedback.

Presidential candidates can usually safely assume they have the support of elected officials from their own party. But this is no typical election.

Republican nominee Donald Trump has come under fire for controversial statements about women, minorities, Muslims, and immigrants living in the country illegally. Clinton, meanwhile, has been dogged by allegations that she carelessly handled classified e-mails and met with financial donors to her family’s foundation while she was secretary of state.

With Trump and Clinton unpopular with many voters, perhaps it’s no surprise that some politicians would rather not say who they support.

“In the words of Taylor Swift, haters gonna hate, hate, hate no matter which answer I give you!” said one Republican county commissioner, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

“I’ve debated expressing my views on this race,” the commissioner said, “but don’t really want to put my family through the inevitable reactions.”

To gauge support for the candidates, the AJC sought comment from county commissioners and sheriffs in the six largest metro Atlanta counties: Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb, Clayton and Cherokee.

Republican Gwinnett County Sheriff Butch Conway recently joined Trump's campaign as one of six Georgia co-chairs. Among other things, he cited Trump's immigration policies.

“Immigration reform has been needed for many years,” Conway said.. “Donald Trump has been the only candidate willing to address the issue in a substantial way.”

None of the other sheriffs the newspaper contacted responded. But Trump found support among some county commissioners.

Cherokee County Commission Chairman L.B. Ahrens Jr. – who said he was speaking as a citizen, not as commissioner – said Trump “will clean up Washington quickly and restore global confidence.” And Gwinnett Commissioner Tommy Hunter cited Trump’s business acumen.

“I have been in business long enough, and know enough successful people in business, to know you don’t become a multi-billionaire without knowing what you’re doing, how to spot and promote leaders, and how to make good decisions,” Hunter said.

Some Republicans made it clear Trump wasn’t their first choice, though they support him now.

“I am conservative and support the GOP,” said Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell. “Although Trump was not my first choice early on, I do support him now as the party’s nominee.”

Democrats who spoke to the AJC endorsed Clinton.

“I serve a very diverse district in Cobb County, and I think it is important that the leader of our nation be more about inclusion and bringing people together, rather than dividing us,” said Commissioner Lisa Cupid. “While I am not 100 percent aligned with her, I am confident Clinton’s approach, over her opponent, has greater opportunity to foster inclusion and stability for our county and our country.”

DeKalb Commissioner Jeff Rader said Clinton is “extremely well qualified” to be president and has learned from her failures. And Fulton Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. called her “an inspiration to my four daughters, women across the country, and the world.”

“It is time for a woman president, and she is the most qualified of the two candidates that are running,” Arrington said.

Presidential politics usually isn’t a factor in local elections, according to Emory University political scientist Alan Abramowitz. But, he said, Trump is such a polarizing figure in his own party that he’s probably put some Republicans in Atlanta’s suburbs in a tough spot. If the local Republicans say they oppose him, they could alienate much of the base of their own party. If they say they support him, they could alienate others.

“I think probably there are, at the local level, Republicans who would rather not say anything about their party’s nominee if they can avoid it,” Abramowitz said.